Prague’s Newest Attraction Will Give You Butterflies

Opening this month in the center of Prague, a brave new world of wings in a real urban jungle setting

Expats.cz Staff Jason Pirodsky

Written by Expats.cz StaffJason Pirodsky Published on 31.07.2017 09:51:54 (updated on 31.07.2017) Reading time: 1 minute

The Prague Botanical Garden’s Fata Morgana greenhouse in Troja is home to numerous butterfly species, including a rare giant comet moth born there this summer.

The Czech capital now has a second destination for butterfly watchers and it’s conveniently located in the center of Prague: Papilonia-motýlí dům, or Papilonia Butterfly House.

Opening this month in the lower level of Hamleys, the British toy-store chain which debuted in Prague in 2016, the new venture promises 600 exotic butterflies in a space adorned with tropical vegetation, styled to resemble “an abandoned Cambodian temple.”

Photo: Papilonia Butterfly House / Facebook
Photo: Papilonia Butterfly House / Facebook

The project is unique, operators say, particularly because it is underground, not in a greenhouse. The ancient-temple look was created by S.O.S Dekorace, the designers behind the Hippo Pavilion at the Prague Zoo.

Owner Michael Kučera told iDnes.cz Hobby he anticipates, “Around 600 butterflies from 40 countries permanently. Since it will be open year round, we will vary the species, so in the spring there will be different butterflies than in the fall.”

Photo: Papilonia Butterfly House / Facebook
Photo: Papilonia Butterfly House / Facebook

Not only are the butterflies expected to thrive in the carefully maintained conditions of 30°C and 80-percent humidity, but the tropical plants in the cave-like space should reach peak jungle effect in six months.

Some tips before you visit Papilonia: Increase your chances of a butterfly alighting on your hand or shoulder by wearing yellow or spritzing on a floral-based perfume.

Photo: Papilonia Butterfly House / Facebook
Photo: Papilonia Butterfly House / Facebook

Papilonia-motýlí dům is open daily from 10:00 to 22:00; adult admission is 150 CZK (100 CZK for children). 

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